Atlanta Soccer News: Art, Music and Culture: There are now a number of programs throughout Georgia and the U.S. that have taken steps to establish a soccer culture by bringing soccer at a low cost to our underserved communities.

Soccer for all in Georgia

By Daniel J. Williams

It is no secret that soccer has seen substantial growth in popularity throughout Georgia and the entire United States. Indeed, soccer is now the fastest growing team sport in the U.S. An even more impressive statistic is that Major League Soccer is now the third most attended professional sport in the U.S. surpassing the NBA and NHL. Nevertheless, the diversity of U.S. soccer participation is still something of a work in progress. Whilst soccer may be firmly embedded in some U.S. communities, it is most notably absent from others. Certainly, there is some truth to the idea that soccer in the U.S. could do more to share the game with the working class, or shall we say those within a low socio-economic status.

In most parts of the world, soccer has long been associated with the ‘working classes’ and being the diverse sport of the people. In fact, the majority of world ‘famous’ soccer clubs, such as Manchester United, were founded during the Industrial Revolution by what can only be regarded as the working class.

In attempting to analyze how soccer in the U.S. has managed to invert the traditional bedrock of the game many observers have cited the substantial costs that are associated with youth soccer programs. It could also be argued that some low-income, underserved populations, particularly in the inner cities, simply lack a culturally rooted passion for soccer. Consequently, there are now a number of programs throughout Georgia and the U.S. that have taken steps to establish a soccer culture by bringing soccer at a low cost to our underserved communities.

Yes, you read that right. There are affordable soccer programs available to kids throughout Georgia! Indeed, several organizations offer out-of-school programs that aim to empower kids who lack opportunity and access to the traditional network of youth soccer clubs and training centers.

Kids from urban areas, lacking constructive after-school options, are often left idle with nothing to do. Many are even prone to the risks of gang activity and other dangers after class. Imagine instead, a soccer program that empowers these kids to lead healthy lives, be engaging students and have the confidence and character to unleash their full potential. Now, here is where America Scores comes in…

The America Scores program was developed in 1994 and annually serves more than 7,500 urban youth in fifteen cities nationwide. American Scores partners with urban schools to provide a high quality, team based program that integrates soccer, poetry and service learning. By the end of the program, participants regularly report increased levels of confidence, self-efficacy, physical fitness and enjoyment of learning. To this end, the program inspires students in urban communities using soccer to engage more in class, perform better academically, and spend more time being physically active.

Of course, America SCORES is not the only organization to offer high quality programs for kids. Soccer Across America was founded by US Youth Soccer in recognition of the need to ensure that every child has the opportunity to play, regardless of their geographic location or socio-economic status. Focused on bringing affordable soccer to underserved communities, Soccer Across America provides soccer training and administrative guidance to players and organizations who might otherwise not be exposed to the beautiful game.

Programs can be developed by anyone, including your local youth soccer clubs and leagues, Boys and Girls Clubs and parks and recreation departments. This is reflected in the idea that each program is created locally to meet the capabilities of the organization and the needs of the players. In this respect, the local community is in control with Soccer Across America providing the necessary guidance and hands-on technical assistance that is required to ensure each and every program is a success.

It is essential that, at all times, the cost of participating in the Soccer Across America program is kept to a minimum. Therefore, all players that participate in the program benefit from lower annual registration fees that include secondary medical and liability insurance. It should also be noted, that Soccer Across America helps new startup programs find the funding and equipment to begin and then to expand their activities. In the past several years, US Youth Soccer has even donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in financial and material support to programs across the U.S. including the Georgia communities of Atlanta, Brunswick and Monroe.

The Soccer Across America program has many advantages to the underserved communities of Georgia. Whether they are in rural areas or the inner cities, participants receive many benefits, including an increase in self-esteem and awareness of one’s health through their passion for soccer. They learn to build positive social and life skills through participation in an organized and supportive program of enjoyable soccer activities.

Whilst acknowledging the need and benefits of organized, supportive soccer programs many observers, such as Jürgen Klinsmann, have stressed the importance of creating an unorganized street soccer culture. In this vein, it could be argued that Soccer in the Streets, an Atlanta based non-profit organization, addresses the need to establish a soccer culture with their pioneering Street-Box. The Street-Box is built specifically for urban areas and is a free soccer facility located in neighborhoods to give young people an area to play within the vicinity of their homes. In other words, the Street-Box is the soccer equivalent of the local basketball court that you can find scattered throughout our urban communities.

Children play soccer at the Street-Box in East Point, which draws its inspiration
from Europe and Latin America where street soccer flourishes.

Although Soccer in the Streets offers organized programming at its Street-Boxes, the most important aspect of the Street-Box is the ongoing availability of the facility which fosters an unorganized sustainable soccer culture in communities that previously lacked a passion for soccer. As in the rest of the world, where street soccer is common, players will grow up playing soccer-related activities and develop a genuine love of the game.

“The Street-Box is all about creating a soccer culture like they have in Europe and Latin America that will not only better the game here but also make soccer a sport for all regardless of ethnic or economic background that we can then use to help improve people’s lives” says Jill Robbins, the Executive Director of Soccer in the Streets

Children play unorganized street soccer in Latin America.
Where there is some space, there is always a place, to play the game.

However, it is important to emphasize that these self-organized, spontaneous soccer activities need not be reserved solely for the Street-Box, but can take place in your backyard, the playground or the park. In fact, that is what’s required to happen anywhere there is a small amount of space if we are going to have a genuine soccer culture that is comparable with the rest of the world. Of course, as we noted earlier, many U.S. communities have not previously been exposed to the game of soccer and therefore require greater access and opportunities. As a result, the America SCORES, Soccer Across America and Street-Box programs offer valuable contributions to ensure soccer is for all in Georgia!

Georgia Soccer is currently looking for people interested in starting a Soccer Across America program. Please contact Georgia Soccer for more information by using the contact information listed below.

Georgia Soccer
gssa@georgiasoccer.org
(770) 452-0505